How we should remember our Iraq war dead (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

How we should remember our Iraq war dead

1:42pm Friday 26th June 2009

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A COLLEAGUE of Spectator’s visited the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire last week and was moved and gratified to see the name of L Cpl Ben Hyde, of Northallerton, on the white Portland stone panels which cover the memorial which is set in 150 acres of embryonic forest parkland.

Last Saturday’s annual dinner at the Golden Lion in Northallerton, in aid of the trust set up in memory of the young military policeman, was also a moving occasion, given added poignancy by the recent announcement that there is to be an inquiry into the Iraq war.

Spectator’s not entirely sure that the Mayor of Middlesbrough, Ray Mallon, who was guest speaker, hit quite the right note in his address.

Mr Mallon seemed to dwell too long on the problem of civil servants running government, although no doubt many present were prompted to wonder if the Chilcott war inquiry will lay the blame for the war at the door of the Civil Service rather than politicians.

But last Saturday’s occasion demonstrated that the town has not forgotten the young man who gave his life in the service of his country.

The other politician encountered this week was Chris Mullin, who spoke about his political diaries at Richmond station. What a shame so few people were present to hear his illuminating talk. Was that something to do with his politics?

To cover

SPECTATOR ran for cover when a swarm of wasps put a special sting into a cricket match in Darlington last Sunday.

Twice the game at Feethams in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League’s premier division was held up as players from Darlington and Hartlepool and the two umpires fled the field – the first time as Hartlepool were about to start their innings and then three hours later when the last of the batsmen were about to face the final 12 balls. On the second occasion, they took an early tea to give the black and yellow striped intruders time to buzz off.

This correspondent would rather face a yorker from Graham Onions than stand out in the middle with wasps about. Happily, no-one appeared to have been stung.

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